What is a good English translation for “老乡”?

Question

In what contexts can 老乡 used? How do they translate to English?

Answer 1

It shouldn't be using technical translation. Because 老乡 the word itself is very informal and make people feel warm and relax.

I would use pals from hometown if I need to explain this word to foreigner

Answer 2

An appropriate word would be countryman

noun, plural countrymen.

 1. a native or inhabitant of one's own country.
 2. a native or inhabitant of a particular region.
 3. person who lives in the country.
 4. an unsophisticated person, as one who lives in or comes from a rural
    area; rustic.

Meaning from Baidu:

1、老乡的范围可大可小。比如在市里看到同一县的人，在省里看到同一市的人，在全国看到同一省的人，都可以算做老乡
2、以前解放军对百姓们的称呼。

Translated to English:

1. The usage of this word is flexible. For example, it can be applied to those living within the same district of a city, the same city within a province, or the same province within the country.
2. The PLA used to address the commoners this way.

Usage example:

无论是因为工作漂泊在外，还是因为求学进去在外，一句老乡拉近了你我彼此之间的距离。

Answer 3

According to Baidu Wiki:

The scope of usage for 老乡 is quite broad.

The word can refer to any of the following:

• Generally, it's used to refer to someone from the same city, town, or province as you. It's used to express a sense of closeness with.
• In the past it was used by the People Liberation Army to address common folk.
• Can refer to a movie by the same name.

Answer 4

老乡 is a bit narrower than, but related to the Yiddish לאַנדסמאַן - landsman (with "a"s like the "o" in bottle and a true "s" like pass, not a /z/ like pans). That word, according to Wikipedia, has made it into English as landsman, though I don't think it's widespread (I haven't heard anyone but my mom use it - and then only when describing the Yiddish word).

If you don't like that, maybe an even broader term like compatriot, perhaps? or homey?